The Foreign Service Journal, January-February 2014

58 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS Call for 2014 Performance Awards Nominations Please consider nominat- ing someone at your post for the excellent work they have done. AFSA offers three awards recognizing exemplary performance of assigned duties or voluntary activities at an overseas post: The Nelson B. Delavan Award is awarded to an office management special- ist whose work has made a significant contribution to post or office effectiveness and morale, beyond the framework of his or her job responsibilities. The award has been generously funded through the Delavan Founda- tion. The M. Juanita Guess Award is given to a commu- nity liaison office coordinator who demonstrates outstand- ing leadership, dedication, initiative and imagination in assisting official employees and their families serving at AFSA President Speaks at Seton Hall University BY TOM SWITZER, SPEAKERS BUREAU DIRECTOR On Nov. 19, AFSA President Bob Silverman visited the School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J. He spoke about Foreign Service careers and the role the For- eign Service plays in foreign policy. During a luncheon, Department Chairman Dr. Benjamin Goldfrank outlined Seton Hall’s ambitious goal of further developing their Washington, D.C. program, launched in fall 2012. The new D.C. campus and cur- riculum will focus entirely on U.S. diplomacy, with a strong emphasis on the Foreign Service. Dr. Goldfrank expressed hope that AFSA could col- laborate with the university by providing experienced Senior Foreign Service offi- cers as speakers for classes and special events. Silverman said AFSA would be willing to collaborate with Seton Hall in this endeavor. Bob delivered a presenta- tion on the challenges and opportunities facing U.S. diplomacy and the Foreign Service to more than 50 students. He provided his perspectives on a career in the Foreign Service, which generated numerous ques- tions from the audience. He also met with Dean Andrea Bartoli, Ph.D., who facilitated the presentation to the students. An important outreach goal for AFSA is to develop a number of strong and cost- effective speaker partner- ships with various schools of international relations. Such a nationwide network could promise AFSA with a long- term presence for educating the American public on the critical role the Foreign Ser- vice plays in advancing our nation’s vital interests. n AFSA President Robert J. Silverman (center) meets with Dr. Andrea Bartoli (left), dean of the school of diplomacy, and others at Seton Hall University. BY PERRI GREEN, COORDINATOR SPECIAL AWARDS AND OUTREACH an overseas post. The award was established in memory of M. Juanita Guess, and is funded by Clements World- wide. The Avis Bohlen Award honors a Foreign Service family member whose volun- teer work with the American and foreign communities has advanced the interests of the United States. Beginning this year, the Una Chapman Cox Foundation will graciously fund the award. Each award recipient is invited to attend AFSA’s award ceremony in the Benjamin Franklin Diplomatic Reception Room in June and will receive a prize of $2,500 and a certificate. For information, see  www.afsa.org/performance. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 28. n SETONHALLUNIVERSITY